Hello Everyone,
I wanted to get some comments, opinions, advise on our planned family vacation. Here is the group who is going: My brother, sister and her husband and their kid of 11 y.o and my parents, my husband and our daughter who will be 15 months old when we cruise. She is a an easy going baby but she isn't 15 months old yet so who knows!

I plan on bringing an umbrella stroller and a car seat. Will we be able to use this car seat for taxi's when getting off the ship? My thoughts on excursions are keeping it to beach days. Visiting a near by beach if we decide to get off the ship. I really do not think there are any other excursions that would be appropriate? This is a family trip planned by my father in law. We all have a great time together and everyone is very helpful.

I am a bit exhausted just thinking about this and I tend to be a rather laid back mom.

Please share your experiences? If you went on the Victory with an infant what did you do off the ship or anything I should pack that you found useful/helpful.

I know this part will sound crazy but I may pack a life jacket that fits her body. I am a bit worried after all.

Hi teagan, sorry I didn't see your post earlier, welcome to CruiseReviews! The car seat will be able to be used in the cabs. Beach days or a short island tour would be fine. Your daughter will be a little too young for Camp Carnival, however, I do believe they have some activities for toddlers. If she's not potty trained, she won't be allowed in the pools on board, though.

You could pack the arm floaties, they wouldn't take up much room. However, most every place you go will have life preserves for children. A stroller will definitely come in handy as your little one will get tired with all the walking. As she gets a little older, she'll be able to join in more activities on board and will have more fun. Right now, though, a sand bucket and shovel and she'll be a happy camper. There's no need to pack one, they usually have these type of things on board for a reasonable price. Also, at the beaches you visit.

Don't stress out, go and have a great time, you'll come back addicted!

I understand your anxieties! My husband and I will be sailing with a 13 month old for the first time in the fall. This will be our 4th cruise, but first with a baby. I have been doing a lot of research (and still am) about what to bring, what to expect, things to do, etc.

Here is just some insight into some tips I have found worthwhile. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions or anything!

- Arrive a day earlier. Flying in, getting bags, getting on a shuttle, waiting to board, boarding the ship and waiting for your room to be ready makes for a long day. Arrive in Florida the day before and stay in a hotel that offers shuttle service to and from the airport and cruise port. This will allow your little one to run around a bit and get over the hoopla of flying for the first time.

- On that same note, go shopping in Florida. Plan to purchase disposable things that will take up valuable luggage space there. Locate a hotel near shopping, or one that offers shuttle service to shopping and plan to buy things like diapers, wipes, sun screen, etc. there. I always travel with an extra beach type bag to bring home souvenirs in. It takes up no space and comes in handy.. pack one and then use it for these items, by the end of the trip you will have used everything and you have your empty bag again for souvenirs.

- Bring a small blow up pool. Non-potty trained kids are NOT allowed in any of the pools. It has been years since I have been on the Victory, so I can't remember if they have a baby splash pool or not. Either way, bring the pool to put next to your lounge chairs on the lido deck so the baby has something to do. You can ask the waitress to bring you a pitcher so you can snag some water from the pool.. or consider picking up a cheap plastic sand bucket (at your pre-cruise FL shopping trip) to do so.. and then it doubles as a toy for them when you actually go to a beach.

- Consider buying disposable bibs. Again, one less thing taking up space in the luggage.

- Don't overpack clothes (this goes for YOU guys and the baby). I remember our first cruise we had 5 pieces of luggage, 5! (thank goodness they didn't charge for it back then!) and we wore maybe 20% of the things we brought. i figured 3 outfits a day.. hah. I was lucky to wear 2. There is also a day on the ship (I believe Carnival does this as well) about mid-week, where they do laundry services and dry cleaning for half price. Or there are machines on board that you can do your own laundry in. Pick up a small bottle of detergent (add it to your pre-cruise FL shopping list!) and make sure you have some quarters. We know kids go through a couple outfits a day, so save yourself from packing a whole wardrobe, go with interchangeable things and plan to do a little wash there.

- Pack a package of large ziploc baggies! These will come in handy to put dirty diapers in, snacks, etc.

- Grab extras from the buffet to have snacks on hand. Little boxes of cereal and fresh fruit are easy to throw in your diaper bag for shore days. Also, if your room has a fridge, grab some extra milk so you have it for late at night or early morning.

- If you baby wear, I recommend bringing a carrier as well as an umbrella stroller.

- Bring one of these for dinner for easy clean-up. Your waiters and stewards will love you for it.

Teagan, This sounds like a great family event. This is the ship my daughter and son in law work. She is a dancer. Lots of cruise chat friends have met her. She is not currently on board as she is working on creating the new Carnival 2.0 shows but will be back by Dec 21. If you are sailing between then and the end of Feb you may see her dance. She is usually very busy but you might impress some of your family by pointing our the dancer from NH and saying you have chated with her Dad. If you see her on board you can send her my regards (she knows my handle) and perhaps you and your family can get some insight to cruising that you might enjoy. My wife and I will be onboard for Jan 27 sailing. Send me a private message if this is your cruise and we can arrange something special.

Good luck with your little one. If he (she) gets fussy the flashing light and bells of the Casino might be interesting to a baby.

I understand your anxieties! My husband and I will be sailing with a 13 month old for the first time in the fall. This will be our 4th cruise, but first with a baby. I have been doing a lot of research (and still am) about what to bring, what to expect, things to do, etc.

Here is just some insight into some tips I have found worthwhile. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions or anything!

- Arrive a day earlier. Flying in, getting bags, getting on a shuttle, waiting to board, boarding the ship and waiting for your room to be ready makes for a long day. Arrive in Florida the day before and stay in a hotel that offers shuttle service to and from the airport and cruise port. This will allow your little one to run around a bit and get over the hoopla of flying for the first time.

- On that same note, go shopping in Florida. Plan to purchase disposable things that will take up valuable luggage space there. Locate a hotel near shopping, or one that offers shuttle service to shopping and plan to buy things like diapers, wipes, sun screen, etc. there. I always travel with an extra beach type bag to bring home souvenirs in. It takes up no space and comes in handy.. pack one and then use it for these items, by the end of the trip you will have used everything and you have your empty bag again for souvenirs.

- Bring a small blow up pool. Non-potty trained kids are NOT allowed in any of the pools. It has been years since I have been on the Victory, so I can't remember if they have a baby splash pool or not. Either way, bring the pool to put next to your lounge chairs on the lido deck so the baby has something to do. You can ask the waitress to bring you a pitcher so you can snag some water from the pool.. or consider picking up a cheap plastic sand bucket (at your pre-cruise FL shopping trip) to do so.. and then it doubles as a toy for them when you actually go to a beach.

- Consider buying disposable bibs. Again, one less thing taking up space in the luggage.

- Don't overpack clothes (this goes for YOU guys and the baby). I remember our first cruise we had 5 pieces of luggage, 5! (thank goodness they didn't charge for it back then!) and we wore maybe 20% of the things we brought. i figured 3 outfits a day.. hah. I was lucky to wear 2. There is also a day on the ship (I believe Carnival does this as well) about mid-week, where they do laundry services and dry cleaning for half price. Or there are machines on board that you can do your own laundry in. Pick up a small bottle of detergent (add it to your pre-cruise FL shopping list!) and make sure you have some quarters. We know kids go through a couple outfits a day, so save yourself from packing a whole wardrobe, go with interchangeable things and plan to do a little wash there.

- Pack a package of large ziploc baggies! These will come in handy to put dirty diapers in, snacks, etc.

- Grab extras from the buffet to have snacks on hand. Little boxes of cereal and fresh fruit are easy to throw in your diaper bag for shore days. Also, if your room has a fridge, grab some extra milk so you have it for late at night or early morning.

- If you baby wear, I recommend bringing a carrier as well as an umbrella stroller.

- Bring one of these for dinner for easy clean-up. Your waiters and stewards will love you for it.

I hope this helps! Happy cruising!

your post is just describing mine inner feelings. I am going on cruise my first cruise with my family. So excited about each moment which I will spend out there.